[h1][center][color=#FFE924]Tales of the Suneater: To Slay a Demon[/color][/center][/h1]

Tooth and claw slammed into the line of warriors, the demonic beasts clawing at the Snouters and Beastfolk that stood in their way. Tyryk brought up his ax and slammed it down onto one of the beast’s heads, splitting its skull in two, before retching it free to cleave another in twain. By his side, both his retinue and the snouter folk fought with a ferocity matching the beasts that rushed towards them. Konne’s blade sliced through the beasts like they were nothing, occasionally taking flight to cut the heads off of several at once. Meanwhile the Snouter’s leader, Chief Znorik, brought the heavy weight of his hammer around, smashing the demons into bloody pulps with each swing. 

But the demons were numerous, already threatening to surround the combined force, held back only by several snouters who had gathered behind them, tossing stones and whatever they could gather to drive the invaders back. That wouldn’t last forever though, Tyryk could already tell that these things were no mindless beasts. Already they were learning, flanking and attacking only if they outnumbered an enemy, and each time a new one appeared to replace the last, their form was changing. Their blackened skin continued to give way to the bones beneath as they formed either sharpened blades to slice at the defenders, or as hardened armor to protect against blows. These things could adapt on the fly. 

Konne flew back from another run, a cut of bone in her hand serving as another blade. The demons raised their hands to try to grab at her, her agility being her only saving grace from being torn from the sky and quickly overrun. Luckily, she made it, returning to Tyryk’s side. 

[color=#FFA845]“They’re giving no sign of stopping!”[/color] She yelled over the dirge of battle. [color=#FFA845]“We need to fall back!”[/color]

[color=#D462FF]“We can head to the center of the village!”[/color] Znorik responded, smashing three of the demons at once with a swing of his hammer. [color=#D462FF]“But we can not give up!”[/color]

Tyryk gave a laugh. [color=#FFE924]“I don’t plan on it! You and you men fall back! We’ll cover you!”[/color] Znorik only snorted in response, yelling at his soldiers to begin to fall back. Tyryk raised his ax shouting towards his own soldiers. [color=#FFE924]“Warriors! To me!”[/color]

The retinue quickly formed around him, their weapons at the ready as they faced the oncoming horde. Tyryk could swear that with each demon they felled another returned to take its place. And their adaptations were only getting worse. By now the demons had caught on to many of their earlier tricks, Konne’s last run had already been too close for comfort, and Tyryk found himself fighting with ax, claw, and teeth all at once to fend off the beasts. His retinue was fairing no better, one of his soldiers, a half-blood lion, was caked in blood both demonic and his, and their weapons were beginning to dull at the oncoming onslaught. 

The Suneater allowed himself a quick look back, the Snouters were making it back, joined by the villagers who had opted to fight instead of flee. Their numbers bolstered the defenders, but even the tough pigfolk could not drive back all of the invaders. Then, he saw it, amongst them stood Polassar, while not a fighter, the Strider was doing all they could to aid the defenders. And a thought formed in the Suneater’s mind. 

[color=#FFE924]“Warriors!”[/color] He shouted, [color=#FFE924]“Fall back to the Center! I have a plan!”[/color]

Now it was the Snouters turn to assist them, Znorick and his more formidable troops surged forward, cleaving a path for the beastfolk to fall back in. They had to be quick, slashing away at whatever surge of blackened flesh and bone that wanted to cut them off from their allies. But they drove them back, allowing them to link back up with the rest of the defenders in the village center. There they gathered into a circle, the warriors at the front driving the demons back with blade and claw, while the villagers behind them threw whatever they could to assist. They were surrounded now for sure, but at least they could fight in all directions now. And as the sun shined its light down upon the village at the perfect angle, Tyryk knew this would work. 

[color=#FFE924]“Polassar!”[/color] He yelled, the Strider’s eyes raising towards the warlord. [color=#FFE924]“When I say so! Uncover yourself!”[/color]

[color=#63416e]“But my lord!”[/color] The Strider replied in a worried tone. [color=#63416e]“That will blind every-”[/color] They looked around at the battlefield, quickly catching on. [color=#63416e]“Understood my Lord!”[/color] 

Tyryk returned his focus to just beyond the village, what demons were not already fighting were gathering together, their blackened forms shifting and morphing further. He could see the budding form of wings begin to erupt, useless at this current moment, but forming. Their blades began more intense and erupted from more points on their body. And their maws of teeth became elongated to pierce hide further. If this didn’t work, they were surely doomed. 

He waited until the new wave began to rush towards them, their modified and twisted forms making a beeline for their circle, gnashing teeth ready to tear into flesh. It was now or never. 

[color=#FFE924]“Everyone! Shield your eyes!”[/color] He brought his own paw up to cover his, raising his ax towards the Strider behind him. [color=#FFE924]“Now Polassar!”[/color]

The blinding light that erupted did not need to be seen to know that the plan had worked. All Tyryk needed was the white flash beyond his covered eyes, the intense heat coming from the center of the village, and the screams of the demons as their eyes were assaulted by the refraction of the sun’s light, the crystal being gave off. The light was gone almost instantly, but it had done what it needed to. He uncovered his eyes, witnessing the demon horde writhe in pain, they were not blind, even Polassar’s light couldn’t do that in that short of time. But it was just what they needed. 

[color=#FFE924]“They’ll recover quickly! Warriors! Charge!”[/color]

Znorick and the Snouters needed no further incentive, letting out a roar as they rushed into the incapacitated horde. The beastfolk followed behind, slicing the defenseless horde with blade and claw, the blackened blood of the beast’s pooling onto the village streets. Even with their eyesight damaged, the horde could see the writing on the wall, many demons had begun to retreat from the counter attack. Those that remained fumbled about to try to fight back, but their dazed vision and the pain in their heads meant they were no match for the warriors. 

With the tables now turned, the demons were driven back further and further. The horde behind the front beginning to scatter at the sight of their kind slaughtered and torn into. The sight was invigorating to the Suneater, seeing the horde driven into panic and cut down before his ax, it reminded him of what he truly desired, to conquer. These beasts were nothing compared to that desire, and they would fall, as all would before the Suneater. 

By now, they were driven from the village, the defenders already cheering as they took care of the last beasts. The hordes running towards the hills they had arrived from. It looked like they had won. 

If only for a second. 

Before they had time to even pant and breath, a thunderous sound erupted from the hills. A rocketing thud shook the earth beneath their feet as something began to move. It didn’t take long for what was causing this noise to appear over the crest of the hills nearby. It was a similar beast to the demons that had just attacked them, its blackened skin giving way to pulsating sinews and veins of muscles that pulsed with each movement. Its legs were smaller than the massive arms that it also walked upon, built almost akin to a gorilla, yet its skin was toughened and hardened like its own armor. Its maw was full of tusks and sharpened teeth that jut in all directions, and its piercing eyes locked with Tyryk’s. 

This thing would destroy them. 

[color=#FFE924]“Konne!”[/color] He didn’t dare take his eyes off the oncoming beast as it slowly made its way to the village. [color=#FFE924]“Take the warriors, get everyone out of here, they’ll be safer up north.”[/color]

Znorick gave a snort at the instructions. [color=#D462FF]“We’re not going to leave our home, we’re not losing it.”[/color]

The pigling drew back as Tyryk’s maw snapped at him, the warlord’s voice rising. [color=#FFE924]“GO! You will all die if you stay! Do not be stubborn now!”[/color]

[color=#FFA845]“But what about you?”[/color] Konne shot back.

[color=#FFE924]“I will distract it. Give you a head start.”[/color]

[color=#FFA845]“That thing will rend you asunder if you fight it alone!”[/color]

He gave a chuckle. [color=#FFE924]“I am the Suneater, if I can not win here, then it is better for me to die.”[/color] He finally allowed himself to look towards Konne, whose face was a mixture of confusion and anger. [color=#FFE924]“Now go, that is an order.”[/color]

Konne barked an order to the assembled warriors, who began to gather the civilians as quickly as they could to prepare them to evacuate. As they began to, Znorick hesitated, casting a gaze towards the Suneater. [color=#D462FF]“I can’t let you do this alone.”[/color]

Tyryk shook his head. [color=#FFE924]“You need to lead your people, mine will need someone as well.”[/color]

[color=#D462FF]“Nonsense, my boi and your feathered lass are capable ‘nough.”[/color] The snouter turned his head back to the beast, who drew ever closer, the smaller beasts gathering around it.[color=#D462FF] “‘Sides, you’ll need someone to keep those beasties off of ya.”[/color]

[color=#FFE924]“...very well.”[/color] He brought his ax up, readying it in his hand. Znorick did the same with his hammer, both of them steeling their resolve in the face of the oncoming beast. 

The great beast took a few more steps, before stopping just short of the village, its gaze unblinking at the two leaders. The horde around it stopped, chittering and snapping towards them, yet not drawing any closer. The duo looked at one another, nodding in tandem before turning back. With a roar, they both charged forth. The demons responded in kind, surging forth while the greater beast remained where it was, standing firm. 

Demon fell to ax and hammer, Znorick took the brunt of the onslaught, carving a path for Tyryk to charge towards the greater beast. Claws and teeth gnashed at them, both of them could barely afford any hits, each one another counting towards the inevitable in this situation. They both just hoped it would be long enough to let the others flee. 

Tyryk carved another demon in front of him, tossing the corpse to the side, he was met face to face with the greater beast. It merely stood there, its form having not changed at all while he had made his way to it. No matter, it was waiting for him to strike first, anyone could see that. Might as well not let his host go waiting. He surged forward, ax and claw flashing as he struck at one of the arms. His metal ax managed to make its way though the toughened hide, but his claws were nothing compared to the armor. A noise came from the beast, something akin to a laugh, then it responded. 

Its other hand shot forward at the warlord, it was quick, incredibly so. He barely had time to avoid most of the punch, the massive beast still managing to catch him with the side of its hand, sending a shout of pain through the beastfolk and sending him sprawling. He crashed onto the ground, barely managing to keep hold of his ax and regain his bearings. If that was a miss, then he really didn’t want to see what a hit was. Looking up, he once more had to rush to roll out of the way before the hand came crashing down where he once lay. Standing up, he swung at the arm, embedding its metal blade into its wrist. The beast let out a roar, shooting its other arm forward to grab at him, but instead of dodging, he instead wretched the ax free and spun around, lodging it instead into the palm of the oncoming hand. 

Another roar erupted, but this time Tyryk could barely keep his grip as the hand was pulled back in pain. Forcing him to let go of his ax to avoid being picked up in a precarious situation by the beast. The beast took a look at its palm, scowling as it tried to force the ax head out of its palm, to little success with how large its hands were in comparison to the tiny ax. Without a weapon, Tyryk had little hope of harming the creature, but this was still an opportunity. He allowed himself a quick look towards Znorick, demons crowded around him, being beaten back by both hammer and fist now, as the hammer itself was dangerously close to shattering. The snouter wouldn’t last much longer, and neither would he. 

With a roar, Tyryk rushed towards the beast, who was caught off guard by his sudden appearance. Jumping up, he latched onto one of its arms, using his claws for whatever leverage onto it that he could. The beast roared, and launched the arm he had latched onto downward, hoping to get him off by force, but that was exactly what he wanted. He shot himself upward from the arm, using its downward force to propel him upward in reaction, then, he dove straight towards the beasts face. He barely missed, having to grab onto one its jutting tusks, but the job could still be done. While the beast was still reeling, he pulled downward, forcing its face down in compensation, then, he let his other clawed hand loose, stratching and piercing one of the beast’s eyes, causing a torrent of blackened blood to pour from its socket. That got its anger boiling. 

It launched its ax-injured hands towards the beastfolk who had long overstayed his lifespan. But Tyryk wouldn’t allow himself to be grabbed so easily. He pushed off the beast’s face, grabbing at the ax’s handle and using the gravity that sought to pull him down. Wretched it free. Black blood now poured from the palm itself as he performed a roll as he hit the ground, trying his best to avoid injuring himself further. Spinning, he readied himself for the attack that came next.

But this time it was too quick.

The arm he had used to launch himself thrust forward, too low for him to notice at first. By the time he did, it was too late. It connected with his lower half, the full force of the beast shattering several of his bones in an instant as it sent him flying back towards the village. It wasn’t enough to kill instantly, but by the gods did it hurt, he could barely feel his lungs intaking the sharp pain of air to compensate for what had been lost. He crumbled onto the floor where he landed, his left leg shattered beyond repair and his right no better off, pain shooting through his mind as it struggled to keep awake. Already his vision darkened, it was over, he would die here. 

He used what was left of his strength to bring his head around, he could see Znorick yelling at him, but his voice was dimed by the pain, the Snouter kept fighting, his fists all that he had left to face the horde that had begun to overwhelm him, demons clambered upon his back and with their teeth, began to take chunks out of him. Tyryk looked back, towards the village. He could see the villagers fleeing, the faces of his warriors stood in shock, clearly they had seen the result of the hit. He could see Konne standing there, tears streaming down her face as she drew her blades, ready to rush in to save him, only to be pulled back by Polassar, the Strider pleading for her to leave. 

The darkness was now everywhere, he wouldn’t last much longer, he returned his focus to the horde. To the great beast that now drew close, its eye and hand bleeding, but it wasn’t enough. It would never have been enough. 

Tyryk laid there. And accepted his fate…… 

“[color=#FF0000]N[/color][color=#00FF00]o[/color][color=#0000FF].[/color]” A voice rang out. “[color=#FF0000]T[/color][color=#FF3A00]h[/color][color=#FF7500]i[/color][color=#FFB000]s[/color] [color=#D7FF00]i[/color][color=#9CFF00]s[/color] [color=#27FF00]n[/color][color=#00FF13]o[/color][color=#00FF4E]t[/color] [color=#00FFC4]h[/color][color=#00FEFF]o[/color][color=#00C4FF]w[/color] [color=#004EFF]t[/color][color=#0013FF]h[/color][color=#2700FF]i[/color][color=#6200FF]s[/color] [color=#D700FF]e[/color][color=#FF00EB]n[/color][color=#FF00B0]d[/color][color=#FF0075]s[/color][color=#FF003A].[/color]” It boomed through the heavens and skies, causing the horde, the beast, and even the Beastfolk and Snouters to gaze upward, to see what was happening. “[color=#FF0000]R[/color][color=#FF2300]i[/color][color=#FF4700]s[/color][color=#FF6A00]e[/color] [color=#FFB100]S[/color][color=#FFD500]u[/color][color=#FFF900]n[/color][color=#E1FF00]e[/color][color=#BDFF00]a[/color][color=#9AFF00]t[/color][color=#76FF00]e[/color][color=#53FF00]r[/color][color=#2FFF00].[/color] [color=#00FF17]A[/color][color=#00FF3B]n[/color][color=#00FF5E]d[/color] [color=#00FFA6]f[/color][color=#00FFC9]i[/color][color=#00FFED]n[/color][color=#00EDFF]i[/color][color=#00C9FF]s[/color][color=#00A6FF]h[/color] [color=#005EFF]w[/color][color=#003BFF]h[/color][color=#0017FF]a[/color][color=#0B00FF]t[/color] [color=#5300FF]y[/color][color=#7600FF]o[/color][color=#9A00FF]u[/color] [color=#E100FF]s[/color][color=#FF00F9]t[/color][color=#FF00D5]a[/color][color=#FF00B1]r[/color][color=#FF008E]t[/color][color=#FF006A]e[/color][color=#FF0047]d[/color][color=#FF0023].[/color]”

Suddenly, Tyryk felt his body return to him, the darkness fled from his vision and he could feel the bones of his legs snap themselves back into place. With little thought or reason, he rose from his state, his body mending itself with every second that he did so. But that was not the only thing he was focused on. Suddenly, a flash of prismatic light erupted in the ax that lay beside him. A multi coloured flame erupted from the weapon, looking like splashes of watercolor upon a painting. There, the weapon transformed, its handle and blade grew in size, the wood turning from a drab brown to a vibrant and luscious rainbow, meanwhile the ax shimmered with life, countless colours emerged and disappeared upon it, almost like it was alive. The flames began to die down, but they remained shimmering upon the ax’s blade, finally, a wrapping of prismatic cloth erupted from the ground and wrapped itself upon the ax’s handle. 

The power emanating from the weapon was immense, Tyryk felt like even being near it would result in him being rendered into nothing. But this was not the time to think. He had his people to save. Swiftly he picked up the ax, a shock of pain and energy coursing up through his arm, already he could see prismatic sparks erupting from it, and the hairs upon his arms stood up straight as the energy coursed through his bones. He could wield this thing, but not for long, he knew that. But he didn’t need long. 

He raised the ax’s blade towards the great beast, who now stood dumbfounded at the sight. [color=#FFE924]“Let it be known.”[/color] He began, [color=#FFE924]“I am the Suneater! Chosen of the gods and Conqueror of all under the skies! I will not fall in the face of invasion! In the face of enemies! In the face of the gods! You have defiled the lands and attacked my subjects! And for that, you shall be slain!”[/color]

The Suneater rushed towards the stunned beast, who now had barely any time to react. It brought its healthy hand up to block the attack coming to it. But it would do nothing. With a swing of the prismatic ax, the Suneater cleaved straight through the beast’s arm, slicing it entirely down the wrist. It roared in pain, and stumbled backwards, only to be met by another slash from the blade, which carved a chunk out of his torso. It tried to slam the beastfolk with its other arm, but that would do nothing, the Suneater merely once more planted the ax’s blade into its palm, this time sinking deeper than it had before. This time, he grabbed at the arm, climbing upon it as he freed the ax once more. Running up the arm, he brought the ax up again, letting out a roar as he cleaved the beast’s head in twain. Slicing straight down the middle and causing a burst of black blood to erupt from the beast. 

It slumped forward, the life now gone from it. Its body crashing back down upon the earth, the Suneater did not stop. He launched himself from the beast as it crashed forward, cleaving several of the lesser demons that stood behind it with the prismatic flames that erupted from the ax, causing them to shatter and melt as they were covered in either deep freezing ice or wreathed in searing hot flames. He made quick work of the beasts, carving a path towards where Znorick lay, the demons attacking him had begun to flee upon the sight of the Suneater’s blade, only to be met by the sudden cracking of skulls from the renewed Snouter’s fists. Much like Tyryk, Znorick too had been healed, his wounds vanished and his strength returned to him. 

But there were still demons, the horde was still great, sure Tyryk could slay ten at a time, but there were still hundreds now. 

Then another miracle came. 

In the sky, a prismatic flaming portal opened up, and from it descended a horde of creatures. [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/919384427841327114/1190433591377793116/tumblr_p8jrvmO22o1qjabr0o6_1280.jpg?ex=65a1c8ad&is=658f53ad&hm=83edf4914b9199d500287aa5d59daad128f9f7a0bca736a4f03cbf70c937c930&]Their forms were covered in bone-like armor that appeared to be fused to their very being, and in their hands they wielded weapons made of a similar material.[/url] They crashed down upon the demonic horde, immediately weighing into the beasts with their own weapons, slaying any that stood in their way. Then another portal opened, then another, the three portals dropping hundreds of the creatures onto the land. By now the demons were fleeing, thoroughly broken by the onslaught. Tyryk barely had time to look back before a flurry of feathers clouded his vision. Konne wrapped the warlord into a tight embrace as the other warriors charged forth, joining the creatures that had come to their rescue in driving the last demons back. 

[color=#FFA845]“Never again scare me like that.”[/color] She began, her face now a mixture of relief and…still anger. 

[color=#FFE924]“I make no promises.”[/color] He replied, he wished to continued, but he winced at the sudden pain that shot up through his arm. Reminding him of what he still held. 

Stepping away from Konne, he tossed the ax to the floor, letting its prismatic flames lap against the grass to give himself a rest. He looked at his hand, seeing small scorch marks all along it, and he could still feel a twinge of exhaustion and aches in his arm. 

[color=#FFA845]“What, is that?”[/color] Konne asked, her gaze unmoving from the flames that erupted from the blade. 

[color=#FFE924]“A gift from the gods I believe.”[/color] Tyryk looked around, seeing that the warriors and creatures were more than capable of dealing with what remained of the fleeing horde. 

Suddenly, Znorick appeared, clapping the Suneater on the back. [color=#D462FF]“One fitting a King! The show you gave was ‘nough for the gods themselves! Good too, think we had both given our best there.”[/color]

Tyryk chuckled. [color=#FFE924]“Indeed, let's get Polassar to find a way to carry it back safely.”[/color] He directed that last part to Konne, who nodded in response. 

[color=#FFA845]“Yes my lord.”[/color]

Finally, Tyryk turned to the new creatures who had arrived. The demons had fled, and now they stood about, seemingly looking for something, then, one of them locked eyes with him. They were coloured a strange green and pink, and they quickly came closer. 

“Greeting! I am Strawberry-Emerald! You can call me Berry!” It gestured towards the other beings, who all waved with excitement. “We Gloink! Sent to serve Suneater!” 

Another chuckle came from the Warlord. [color=#FFE924]“A serving army and an artifact, truly a blessed day. Come then! I believe we all need rest after this day! A feast! To our victory!”[/color]

A cheer erupted from the Beastfolk and Snouters, while the Gloinks merely rattled their forms in what appeared to be an approximation of a cheer. 

The day was won. And the Suneater grew stronger.

[hider=Summary]
We pick right up from where we left off, with the demon horde slamming into the Snouter Village. The combined forces of the Rock Tooth clan and the Suneater’s Host are horribly outnumbered by the invaders, and despite some early victory, are forced to retreat to the center of the village. There, the Suneater has an idea, and gets Polassar, the Strider, to temporarily blind the oncoming horde, giving the forces just enough time to drive them back. 
But the fight doesn’t end there, as suddenly a giant outer demon appears. Deciding to save the many with the lives of the few, the Suneater orders Konne to lead the villagers to safety up north, while he buys them enough time. Deciding he alone won’t do it, Znorick, chief of the Rock Tooth’s, joins him. The two fight valiantly, Znorick taking down many lesser demons, and Suneater wounding the greater demon twice, but both end up being near defeated and close to death. 
But Divine Intervention has other ideas, Yumash intervenes and heals both Suneater and Znorick and grants Suneater the Star Slayer, a godbane artifact, and they kindly wrap it up so it doesn’t instantly kill him, but still hurts. Using the weapon, the Suneater kills the greater demon and reaches Znorick to aid him, but Yumash has one last gift, roughly 300 Gloinks are deposited upon the battlefield in their skeletal-power armor and finally turn the tide of battle for real. 
After much relief and some questioning of the future, the Suneater decides to have a feast, to celebrate the victory they had this day. 
[/hider]

[hider=MP]
Yumash Start-26
1MP Each-Heal Znorick and Suneater to full health once again(2mp total)

4Mp-Create the Star Slayer, a godbane artifact.
The Star Slayer is a beautiful ax, with a handle of vibrant rainbow and a blade that shimmers and shifts every colour known to mortals and gods alike. From the blade an endless torrent of prismatic flame erupts forth, lapping at everything it can touch, and will engulf any wielder who is deemed unworthy or fails to properly hold the weapon. The ax itself holds great power, able to cleave through the toughest of materials and split open any who dare face it, but it's true benefit comes from the flames themselves. 
Each series of attacks from the Star Slayer will have a different property applied to it, sometimes the flames will act like flames, melting and burning all they touch, other times they may freeze opponents and shatter them into countless pieces, they may transform into lightning bolts shot forth from the weapon, or they may even become pure energy. Regardless, each enemy will face a different property. 
Series of Attacks in this case is defined as either a single weaker opponent, or the attacks against a more powerful opponent before a break in attacks due to defense or merely regaining composure. 

Yumash End-20
[/hider]